A Northumberland-based manufacturer of electronic assemblies is poised for further expansion after being acquired by
CorpAcq, a serial acquirer of well-established SMEs in the UK.
Arian EMS, which operates out of Wansbeck Business Park in Ashington and employs 40 staff, has been acquired by CorpAcq in a deal that will support continued investment in its people, processes, and production capabilities.
Founded in 2017, Arian EMS specialises in the manufacture, assembly and testing of complex electronic systems for a range of industries, with particular strengths across the testing and inspection, security, and automotive sectors. Since establishment, the company has grown year-on-year, earning a reputation for reliability, fast turnround times, and consistently high standards of delivery.
Malcolm Humble (pictured above), founder and managing director of Arian EMS, will continue in a strategic role following the transaction, having retained an ongoing stake in the business. He will continue to provide strategic guidance and support to the leadership team to ensure Arian maintains its exceptional quality of service and achieves its ambitious growth plans.
He said: “The deal marks a major milestone in our journey. Joining the CorpAcq network positions the business for long-term success and gives us the platform to take the next step. Its backing allows us to invest further in our manufacturing capabilities – particularly in new machinery – and to keep developing our brilliant team. It is a genuine partnership. CorpAcq understands our values and shares our ambition for growth.
“We are now pushing ahead with bold expansion plans — aiming to double in size, create around 30 new jobs, and build a second factory alongside our current one. We are also actively exploring three or four strategic acquisitions to accelerate that growth. With their support, we are in a strong position to build on everything we have achieved so far – and to keep delivering the high-quality service our customers have come to expect.”
Growing portfolioCorpAcq, founded by Simon Orange in 2006, backs well-established, stable and cash-generative SMEs around the UK. The Group’s growing portfolio includes businesses in the industrial products and services sector, where its long-term approach and light-touch model enables companies to maintain their culture and operational independence while benefiting from strategic support.
Simon Orange, CorpAcq’s founder and chairman, said: “From the first conversation, it was clear that Arian EMS is a business with real depth – experienced, customer-focused, and full of energy. What really stood out was the team’s ability to stay responsive and hands-on, even while growing at pace. Our role is to support good businesses to keep doing what they do best, and we’re really looking forward to backing Malcolm and the team as they take the next step.”
UNW provided corporate finance and tax advice to Arian EMS on the transaction – legal advice was provided by Ward Hadaway. Nick Broadhead, Corporate Finance Partner at UNW, said: “It has been a real pleasure working with Malcolm and the team throughout this process. They have built an impressive business with a strong culture and a clear focus on quality – both in their output and in how they develop their people.
“This deal brings together a committed management team and a supportive, experienced investor in CorpAcq. It is a great fit, and one that puts the business in a strong position for continued growth. We are proud to have played a part in facilitating this partnership.”